What Did Donald Trump Do Today?
February 2, 2025 Recap
In a post on his own social media platform, President Trump warned Americans that they may feel "some pain" as a result of the new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China but insisted the move is necessary to "Make America Great Again." The tariffs, set to take effect on Tuesday, include a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and a 10% tax on oil, natural gas, and electricity. In response, Canada has imposed 25% tariffs on $105 billion worth of U.S. products, including alcohol and fruit. Analysts warn that these measures could worsen inflation, contradicting Trump's previous promises to lower costs for Americans. A Yale study estimates that an average U.S. household could lose $1,245 in income per year, equivalent to a $1.4 trillion tax increase over the next decade.
Trump specifically attacked Canada's trade practices, falsely claiming that the U.S. subsidizes its northern neighbor and arguing that without its trade surplus, "Canada ceases to exist as a viable country." He even suggested that Canada should become "our Cherished 51st State" to avoid tariffs and benefit from lower taxes and stronger military protection. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in response, is urging citizens to buy domestic products and has announced further retaliatory tariffs on U.S. vehicles, steel, and agricultural goods. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced new tariffs, arguing that the U.S. should focus more on addressing its internal drug addiction crisis rather than imposing economic penalties on its allies.
China has vowed to defend its economic interests and plans to file a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The backlash from U.S. allies has raised concerns that Trump's policies could isolate the U.S. on the global stage. Critics, including former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, have condemned the tariffs as a "self-inflicted wound" on the American economy, arguing that they could push inflation up by as much as 1%. Trump had previously criticized inflation under President Joe Biden, calling it a "country-buster," yet his new tariffs may contribute to rising prices.
Economists and analysts remain skeptical about the long-term sustainability of Trump's trade war. Goldman Sachs warns that while the tariffs are likely to proceed, their economic damage could force them to be temporary. However, the uncertainty surrounding their removal has created anxiety among businesses and consumers. Despite Trump's insistence that the tariffs will benefit the U.S. economy, outside assessments suggest they could ultimately harm the very voters he intends to help.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s appearance on Meet the Press showcased the administration’s uncompromising stance on immigration and trade. Still, her justifications for these policies raised serious concerns about their economic consequences, human rights implications, and broader approach to governance.
Noem defended the administration’s sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China as a necessary tool to pressure these nations into stronger immigration enforcement. However, her rationale seemed inconsistent—particularly regarding Canada, which plays a negligible role in fentanyl trafficking compared to China. The decision to impose tariffs on one of the U.S.’s closest allies appeared more punitive than strategic, with Noem offering little explanation beyond vague assertions about northern border vulnerabilities. Her dismissal of concerns over price hikes—blaming potential inflation on foreign nations rather than U.S. policy—failed to acknowledge the real economic burden these tariffs could impose on American consumers.
The administration’s decision to use Guantanamo Bay as a migrant detention facility represents an alarming shift in U.S. immigration enforcement. Noem attempted to justify this move by emphasizing that only “the worst of the worst” would be detained there. Still, she refused to rule out the possibility that women, children, or families could be held at the facility. This ambiguity raises serious ethical and legal questions, especially given Guantanamo’s history of indefinite detention and human rights violations. Her reassurances that “due process will be followed” ring hollow, considering the administration’s broader push for expedited deportations and increased law enforcement crackdowns.
Perhaps most troubling was Noem’s dismissal of reports that legal immigrants fear wrongful detentions, particularly as ICE agents conduct raids in churches and schools. Instead of addressing these concerns seriously, she deflected blame onto the media, insisting that fears of wrongful arrests were manufactured. This response ignored the reality that past immigration crackdowns have led to mistaken detentions, fostering an atmosphere of fear among immigrant communities—including those who are in the U.S. legally.
Finally, the administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 500,000 Venezuelans was framed by Noem as a necessary correction to a “broken” system. However, her justification relied on an inflammatory and unverified claim that Venezuela had deliberately sent criminals to the U.S. This sweeping generalization unfairly tars an entire population of asylum seekers—many of whom fled an oppressive regime—with criminality. By dismantling TPS protections, the administration is potentially forcing law-abiding immigrants into dangerous and unstable conditions with little regard for the humanitarian consequences.
Noem’s interview reflected a hardline, punitive approach to immigration and trade that prioritizes political posturing over pragmatic solutions. Her vague rhetoric, refusal to acknowledge economic fallout, and lack of clear policy safeguards suggest an administration more interested in coercion and deterrence than in crafting effective and humane immigration reform. Rather than strengthening national security, these policies risk undermining international alliances, stoking domestic fear, and exacerbating economic instability—all while failing to address the root causes of migration and drug trafficking.
In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed multiple pressing issues related to U.S. aviation safety. He began by discussing the recent outage of the FAA’s NOTAM system, which provides pilots with critical flight information. While a backup system was activated, he acknowledged that the system had suffered multiple failures in recent years and emphasized the need for urgent modernization to prevent future disruptions. However, he failed to provide a clear timeline or funding plan for these upgrades.
Duffy also spoke about the investigation into the Black Hawk helicopter crash at Reagan National Airport. While he deferred to the NTSB for details, he raised concerns about potential air traffic control understaffing and questioned whether the decision to consolidate controller positions contributed to the accident. He also noted that investigators are investigating whether the pilots' use of night-vision goggles impacted their visibility. As a precautionary measure, helicopter flights in the area have been temporarily restricted until more information is available.
Regarding the recent medevac flight crash in Northeast Philadelphia, Duffy stated that investigators are waiting to recover data from the flight’s black box to determine the cause of the accident. He described the crash as a steep nosedive and noted that the flight deviated from its planned trajectory before impact. He reiterated the importance of a thorough investigation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The ongoing air traffic control staffing shortage was a major concern raised during the interview. Duffy acknowledged that over 90% of air traffic control facilities are operating below recommended levels and cited several factors contributing to the problem, including past hiring policies, training limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and delays in certification. He stated that the administration is working on solutions to recruit and train new controllers but admitted that it will take one to three years before improvements are fully realized. Additionally, he stressed the need to modernize the outdated air traffic control system, which he said still relies on technology from World War II. He also criticized past administrations for handling recruitment without fully acknowledging that the shortage has persisted under multiple administrations, including the first Trump administration. Tapper pointed out that FAA hiring increased under Biden, a fact Duffy did not effectively counter.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the interview was Duffy’s framing of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies as a possible contributor to the air traffic control shortage. His claim that past administrations prioritized DEI over safety lacked concrete evidence, and when pressed by Tapper, he could not directly connect DEI policies to the recent aviation disasters. Instead, he focused on ideological talking points, such as the FAA changing the term “cockpit” to “flight deck,” as if this were indicative of a broader failure in aviation safety. His decision to eliminate the FAA’s only DEI office within his first week in office also raises concerns about whether he is addressing actual operational challenges or merely dismantling policies for political optics.
While Duffy’s reassurances that U.S. air travel remains safe are important for public confidence, his lack of detailed, actionable solutions undermined his message. His emphasis on prioritizing safety over social issues is reasonable. Still, his failure to present clear evidence of DEI’s impact on air safety makes his argument appear more politically motivated than fact-based.
Darren Beattie, a controversial conservative journalist, has been appointed as the acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the State Department under President Trump's administration. Beattie, who was previously dismissed from a speechwriting role in the Trump White House in 2018 after it was revealed he had spoken at a conference associated with White nationalists, has since launched and led the right-wing media outlet Revolver News, known for promoting conspiracy theories, particularly regarding the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Beattie's appointment has raised concerns among State Department employees due to his history of advancing disputed claims, including allegations that the FBI tampered with surveillance footage related to the pipe bombs found near the DNC and RNC offices on January 6. His media outlet continues to sell pro-Trump merchandise, including shirts denying the legitimacy of the 2020 election and pushing conspiracy theories about the Capitol riot.
Despite his controversial past, Beattie has continued to hold government roles, including a 2020 appointment to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, which sparked strong opposition from the Anti-Defamation League. Beattie has dismissed criticism, accusing organizations like the ADL of being politically motivated.
Neither the White House nor the State Department has officially commented on his recent appointment.
The Trump administration removed two top security officials at USAID after they tried to block personnel from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing restricted areas of the agency's headquarters. The incident is part of a broader shake-up that has put nearly 100 senior career staff on leave. It follows Trump's push to freeze U.S. foreign aid and possibly bring USAID under the State Department's control.
DOGE officials were reportedly allowed access to classified offices without clear documentation of what information they obtained. Following the incident, USAID’s security director and deputy were removed, and the agency’s chief of staff, Matt Hopson, resigned.
Congressional Democrats argue the move violates U.S. laws establishing USAID’s independence and are considering legal action. Senator Jeanne Shaheen has demanded an explanation from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The freeze on foreign aid has already impacted global programs, including refugee hospitals and HIV treatments.
House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast supports moving USAID under the State Department, while Musk, a Trump ally, has publicly criticized it and called for its dissolution. Musk's DOGE has visited USAID frequently as part of a cost-cutting initiative. The agency’s website has been down since Saturday, signaling its possible closure.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Panama over the weekend to discuss U.S. concerns regarding Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, according to a readout from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Rubio conveyed President Donald Trump’s position that the current level of Chinese involvement in the canal’s operations is unacceptable and warned that, unless immediate changes are made, the U.S. may take necessary measures to protect its rights under the canal's treaty. However, the State Department did not specify whether these measures could include military action.
During the presidential transition period, Trump stated at a Mar-a-Lago press conference that he would not rule out using military force to secure control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, listing them as key objectives for his second term. Once owned and operated by the U.S., the Panama Canal transitioned to Panamanian control throughout the late 20th century, culminating in full Panamanian authority in 1999. However, a treaty governing the transition allows U.S. intervention if the canal's neutrality is threatened.
In the readout of the meeting, Bruce stated that Rubio stressed to Mulino that Trump had made a preliminary determination that the Chinese Communist Party’s influence over the canal constitutes a threat and a violation of the Treaty. Trump echoed this stance in a January press conference, stating, "We gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China. They’ve abused that gift."
Mulino has denied that China controls the canal, emphasizing that the Panama Canal Authority manages the waterway. Nonetheless, concerns persist within the U.S. government about growing Chinese influence in the region.
Beyond the canal, Rubio and Mulino discussed broader geopolitical and economic issues, including the ongoing migration crisis affecting Latin America and the United States, efforts to enhance investment in climate-related initiatives, and Panama’s commitment to supporting a free and democratic Venezuela.
Asian stock markets and U.S. equity futures slumped ahead of Monday following President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, raising fears of a global trade war and economic slowdown. The U.S. dollar surged to record highs against the Chinese yuan and reached multi-year highs against the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso. Japan’s Nikkei fell by 2.3%, while Australia’s market, often seen as a proxy for Chinese markets, declined by over 2%. Hong Kong stocks were set to open later, while mainland Chinese markets remained closed for Lunar New Year.
Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, citing illegal immigration and drug trade concerns. Canada, Mexico, and China swiftly vowed retaliation, with China planning to challenge the levies at the World Trade Organization. The tariffs, issued through three executive orders, will take effect on Tuesday. Economists warned of severe consequences, with EY’s Greg Daco estimating a 1.5% drop in U.S. growth, potential recessions in Canada and Mexico, and stagflation in the U.S. Barclays strategists projected a 2.8% earnings drag on S&P 500 companies.
Markets reacted sharply, with U.S. stock futures showing significant declines—S&P 500 down 1.7% and Nasdaq down 2.5%. The U.S. dollar hit record highs against the yuan (7.3765 offshore), Mexican peso (21.15), and Canadian dollar (C$1.4755). The euro fell 2.3%, while the yen remained relatively stable. Bitcoin dropped nearly 6% to a three-week low, and oil prices rose, with WTI crude up 2.4% and Brent crude up 1%. The move signals potential economic turbulence ahead, with concerns over inflation, corporate earnings, and a broader global downturn.